We recently visited little family-owned Pinder Winery in an industrial building in Campbell, CA next to San Jose.  Sure, an industrial building isn’t our first choice for ambiance but Pinder is an excellent choice for wine and hospitality.

Pinder sources their grapes from a variety of vineyards from Temecula to Lodi and the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains.  This strategy gives tasters an interesting taste variety.  We enjoyed all of their wines and particularly the 2003 Lodi Merlot.  It is full of flavor, well-balanced nose, and an enjoyable and lingering finish. Prices are excellent for a winery with less than 500 case production.  If you are in the South Bay this winery is one of the most convenient and worth a visit.

- jim

Tom Kruse moved to California and started his winery west of Gilroy in the southern Santa Clara Valley in 1972.  I first tasted his wines in the tasting room in 1974.  Somehow he recruited volunteers for his first harvest and that has been in his business model ever since. This past harvest we were waiting to volunteer for his Cab harvest but he was over-subscribed before we knew the date and we missed the party.

Tom’s winery is now east of Gilroy.  You taste in the working winery and the tasting “bar” is often staffed by volunteers on the weekends. Tom is usually wandering around and often has time for impromptu tours.

Katya learns Merlot harvesting from Tom Kruse.

This is about as close to a do-it-yourself winery as there is. You can help with harvest, crush, and bottling.  The BYOB event with food and music is always popular.  Bring your own bottles or buy them there and fill a case.

We believe Tom’s full-bodied wines are some of the best we’ve had anywhere. His unoaked Chard is bright and fresh.   His Cabs are robust from the nose to the finish but the tannins won’t burn your throat.  His Zin is consistently full of fruit and dry.  Merlot tends to have a little more body and flavor than most Merlots and we taste lots of them.

Prices for Tom’s wines are some of the lowest in the state.  Case specials as low as $5 a bottle aren’t rare.  The best deals are buying a case or more of course but even the bottle purchases won’t hurt.

For an old-time winery adventure stop by and see Tom.

- jim